Research and insights are the keys to not just getting inspired but also starting to turn plans into purpose and goals into action. At the Sweets & Snacks Expo, you’ll hear from leading category specialists delivering the latest insights on the industry performance, trends and consumer behavior that will help you attract shoppers and win sales.
Schedule overview:
Detailed Schedule:
Driving Sustainable Innovation: Finding Whitespace Opportunities in a Changing Consumer Landscape
June 23, 2021 2021 at 10:30 am
Ted Curtin, Chief Innovation Officer, ProdigyWorks
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This session reveals why innovation is so hard, what keeps companies from realizing breakthrough innovation and what leaders can do to foster a more creative and innovative culture within their organizations.
Claim to Fame: Positioning Snacks for Success in Post-Pandemic World
June 23, 2021 2021 at 11:30 am
Jared Koerten, Head of Packaged Food at Euromonitor International
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This session will provide extensive insight into the global landscape for product claims in snacks, including a vantage point into prominent marketing claims for snacks across clean, ethical and dietary labels.
The Perfect Moment: Creating New Snacking & Treating Occasions
June 23, 2021 2021 at 12:30 pm
Joel Allen, SVP, Hy-Vee; Sarah Long, Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Wrigley U.S.;
Instacart Logo
Jennifer Meyer, Regional Director Brand Partnerships, Instacart; Matthew Tice, Category Leadership Director, Mars Wrigley U.S.
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This session explores new occasions and moments, both everyday and seasonal, that are driving treating and snacking.
The Retailer’s Omni-Channel Journey
June 23, 2021 2021 at 1:30 pm
Michael Sansolo, Author & Columnist, Morning News Beat
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This session will detail the many challenges and decisions companies must make in management, finances, technology, merchandising and more to successfully enter the omni-channel world with examination of how this impacts product suppliers.
Taste of the Future: Rising Flavor Trends in Candy & Snacks
June 23, 2021 2021 at 2:30 pm
Kelli Heinz, Vice President of Marketing & Industry Affairs, Bell Flavors & Fragrances
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This session explores recent flavor trends in the candy and snacks categories. We’ll look at how each generation reacts to flavor innovations and how manufacturers are marketing innovations to appeal to their respective demographic segments. We’ll also show how Covid-19 has impacted flavor choices with consumers this past year.
Confectionery’s Contributions to Emotional Wellbeing
June 23, 2021 2021 at 3:30 pm
Marcia Mogelonsky, Director of Insight, Mintel Food and Drink
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Consumers are refocusing their attention on health and wellness, and confectionery’s role in supporting their emotional well-being has never been stronger thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. This session, grounded in the latest research by Mintel, examines ways in which confectionery manufacturers should consider consumers’ needs and desires when marketing their products.
Driving Data-Driven Growth During COVID-19 and Beyond
June 24, 2021 2021 at 9:30 am
Charles Guilbeau, Vice President of Consumer Understanding, Ferrero North America
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This session explores how to stay on top of quickly shifting consumer behaviors while preparing for a post-COVID world. Attendees will learn how to leverage Ferrero’s data-driven insights from the people who pioneered these strategies and will walk away with an understanding of the industry’s post-pandemic future.
Delivering Chocolate Experiences Today & Tomorrow
June 24, 2021 2021 at 10:30 am
Laura Bergan, Director, Barry Callebaut Brand
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What are consumers looking for on the shelf? What experiences are affecting consumer purchase behavior with chocolate treats? Take a look at the future of chocolate alongside Barry Callebaut’s marketing team, which will present a preview of how chocolate will be reaching new consumer groups in the near future and how taste and sensory delight will stay front and center for all consumers.
Power Pitch: Get to Yes with the Retail Decision Maker
June 24, 2021 2021 at 11:30 am
Michael Sansolo, Author & Columnist, Morning News Beat; Nancy Gallardo, Category Manager – Snacks, 7-Eleven; Todd Gean, Category Manager – Candy, Hy-Vee
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Back again for another season, this highly-engaging Shark Tank-style pitch session offers two companies the opportunity to present their product innovations to a panel of retail category decision makers.
Connecting the Physical and Digital Shelves
June 24, 2021 2021 at 12:30 pm
Trish Mielke, Senior Manager of Holistic Captaincy, The Hershey Company
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This session will outline how retailers and their trusted CPG partners can ensure the fundamentals of the path to purchase are in place across in-store and digital platforms with a goal to delight and satisfy each and every shopper.
‘Tis the Season to Be Online
June 24, 2021 2021 at 1:30 pm
Dan Sadler, Principal, Client Insights, IRI
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Holiday confectionery sales traditionally rely on brick-and-mortar sales, but as shoppers adopt new shopping habits, online opportunities are a “must-have” for manufacturers and retailers. This session explores the boundless online opportunities ahead for our industry’s manufacturers and retailers.
Generational Snacking After COVID-19
June 24, 2021 2021 at 2:30 pm
Darren Seifer, Food and Beverage Industry Analyst, The NPD Group
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Using the NPD Group’s proprietary modeling techniques, this session will analyze America’s generations, their penchant for candy and snacks and the underlying motivations that drive their consumption.
The Physical Store: New Realities, New Opportunities
June 24, 2021 2021 at 3:30 pm
Joe Lampertius, President, ChaseDesign
Peter Cloutier, Vice President of Growth & Strategic Partnerships, ChaseDesign
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This session outlines a new path to growth for physical stores by providing the convenience that shoppers need and delivering the inspiration, discovery, and delight shoppers want.
Considering Cannabis? What You Need to Know Before Entering the Industry
June 25, 2021 2021 at 8:15 am
Nancy Whiteman, CEO, Wana Brands
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This session offers advice from the CEO of North America’s largest cannabis-infused edibles producer on building a cannabis brand and preparing a company for partnerships with the cannabis industry. Attendees will learn about the challenges in the industry, including licensing and regulations, and the necessary steps to build a cannabis brand when regular marketing channels and strategies are not an option.
Alternative Confectionery Solutions for Varied Lifestyles
June 25, 2021 2021 at 9:30 am
Melissa Tisoncik, R&D Director, Blommer Chocolate
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This session will review new ingredient technologies, including methods for adding functional benefits to a product, reducing ingredients in a product and replacing mainstream ingredients.
The Shopping Experience: Now Tastier Than Ever
June 25, 2021 2021 at 10:30 am
Larry Deutsch, CEO & Co-Founder, dvk marketing; Doug Van Andel, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, dvk marketing
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How can the confectionery industry make shopping for candy as fun as consuming it? This session will share actionable insights as attendees explore creative merchandising and brand activation in the candy category, as well as relevant examples outside the category that can be leveraged and applied.
Marketers Need a New Dimension in Consumer Targeting
June 25, 2021 2021 at 11:30 am
Peter Picard, Vice President of Strategic Planning & Research, Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide; Sonja Evans, Associate Director - Business Intelligence, Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide
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This session will present key research-based findings and recommendations for how marketers can change the course of communications and show how the essential role of snacks and sweets differs by life stage; how marketers can successfully adapt communications to people in new situations; and where and when marketers can engage these audiences to support purchase.
2021: State of Treating
June 25, 2021 2021 at 12:30 pm
Larry Wilson, VP of Industry Affairs, National Confectioners Association
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This session provides the Sweets & Snacks Expo’s perennial view of the candy category from shopper, consumer and retailer perspectives. Attendees will preview NCA's latest signature research, which will debut for the first time to Sweets & Snacks Expo attendees during this session.
Primed for Visual Indulgence: Four Steps to Optimize Images Along the Path to Purchase
June 25, 2021 2021 at 1:30 pm
Adam Colasanto, Director, Consumer Insights, VIZIT; Joe Annunziato, Vice President, Sales and Partnerships, VIZIT
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This session will reveal four actionable tips to improve images along the path to purchase, resulting in a strong e-commerce path to purchase for any product.
